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What Are The Features of the 1976 Ford F 250?
Ford was under the gun to convince the American public to view their truck as the best on the road. With the popularity of the F-100, and F-150, the company used a “tough yet thrifty” campaign to convince owners that Ford could offer the best of both worlds. The oil embargo of ‘73 was still fresh on folks’ minds and consumer sentiment was shifting toward more fuel efficiency. Still, there was a need for ¾ ton light Fords to keep industry and agriculture flowing.
Engine
The 1976 Ford F 250 came with a standard 4.9L 300 cubic-inch inline-6 cylinder, though there were three V8 options available (360 cubic-inch V8, 390 cubic-inch V8, and 460 cu in V8).
The inline six-cylinder engine had stood the test of time (1960 - the mid-90s), but it never satisfied truck owners much. For years the six-cylinder was hit or miss, with only 7.2% of the F250s being built with the inline six (most owners opted for the larger V8s). The company also made a small 302 cu in V8 but did not offer it for sale on the 250.
The 1976 ¾ ton pickup offered a couple of primary transmissions with a four-speed manual or SelectShift three-speed automatic. (According to Ford records, over 53% of owners sought to outfit their light trucks with Cruise-O-Matic transmissions).
For years the Ford Motor Company had refused to adapt their 4-wheel drive trucks, which caused their 4x4 trucks to sit much taller than the competition. (The term “highboy” gets its name from the higher stance of these 4x4s). Unfortunately, the taller structure also created a rollover hazard.
Power Steering and Brakes
The F 250 came with standard power disc brakes (100% of units are so equipped). The company used power steering for over six years (since 1973), but it was still considered an upgrade rather than standard equipment.
Appearance
In 1976, the company kept the split front grille it had used for years. All pickups had recessed square headlights, and the brand lettering was displayed as part of the grille (Two years later, the co-sections would give way to a single front with the lettering featured on the front lip of the hood rather than as part of the grille).
Regular cab F250s came only with an 8’ bed in Styleside or Flareside. However, you had the choice of a 6.5’ or 8’ bed with the SuperCab (the shorter bed was the only option for CrewCabs).
Owners could have one of 15 different paint colors on their vehicle. Many customers opted to outfit their particular vehicle with custom two-toned color schemes, often using Wimbledon White as an accent color.
Trim Levels
The 1976 F-series line was offered in three trim levels (Custom, Ranger, Ranger XLT), with a fiberglass box cover over the back of 8-foot Stylesides, if owners wanted one. Many opted for the stylish cover and the optional locking toolbox on the side of the truck behind the cab.
There was a Camper Special, which could handle 8’ - 12’ slide-on camper shells. The option was allowed with a V8 engine and the Cruise-O-Matic transmission.
Construction
Built on independent front twin-I-beam suspension underneath, providing a good comfortable ride and consistent cornering capabilities. The Ford f-250 truck had heavy-duty rear springs on the back wheels designed for heavier payload capacities. The double-walled construction offered additional strength for the bed. Ford continued to strive to keep rust from accumulating in the bed by curving the edges to save time during maintenance.
Capacity and Payload
The customer driving the 1976 Ford F-250 has a max GVW of 8100 lbs and a maximum payload of 3,625 lbs. The 8-foot box included 73.6 cu/ft of cargo space.
Interior
The f 250’s truck interior was color-coordinated bench seating with color-coordinated door panels. The bench seat configuration in the SuperCab allowed additional passengers to sit in the back, or owners could convert the 5-foot by 2-foot rear space for tool storage. One of the neat features of the ‘76 was the flip-out rear windows to give backseat customers fresh air since many were not equipped with air.
With seven inches of standard foam inside the seats, the overall seating felt good and the carpet on the floor, which the manufacturer had first introduced into their Lincoln sedans, added to the atmosphere.
Ford’s Speed Control (cruise control) was an added option that owners could purchase, but not many opted for it. The instrumentation displays were easy to read, and the faux wood trim edging on the dash was reminiscent of the work in many of Ford’s sedans.
What Were the Production Numbers for the 1976 Ford F250?
The units were built in North America, Argentina, and Australia.
While there are no official records, it is estimated that less than 2,000 CrewCab units were made.
What Are The Model Options for the 1976 F 250?
The following were some of the options for the 1976 Ford f 250.
What are the Specifications of the 1976 F250?
Below are some specifications of the 1976 Ford F250.
